Interview with {Uncial Script Master!} Albrecht Clauss

As you know, my calligraphy style is more flowy/curly … rarely do I create non-cursive lettering like uncial script. That’s part of the reason I am so impressed with the style Albrecht used — his skill and knowledge of typography is evident. Of course, I had to grill him with questions — and I thought you might be interested in his answers, too! So, I conducted a little interview with Albrecht, and I hope you’ll be as inspired by it as I am.

A couple of weeks ago, I received this gorgeous envelope in the mail, which I told you about in this blog post. It came all the way from TPK blog reader Albrecht in Bremen, Germany, who clearly has a talent for lettering.

As you know, my calligraphy style is more flowy/curly … rarely do I create non-cursive lettering like uncial script. That’s part of the reason I am so impressed with the style Albrecht used — his skill and knowledge of typography is evident. Of course, I had to grill him with questions — and I thought you might be interested in his answers, too! So, I conducted a little interview with Albrecht, and I hope you’ll be as inspired by it as I am.

Question: Did you teach yourself how to create calligraphy; or did you study it in school/take classes?

Answer: I have always loved writing and creating unconventionally “beautiful” scripts. Eventually I purchased a textbook that helped me with basic techniques like strokes and alphabets. Later, I took a year-long calligraphy course {2 hours every fortnight}. This really helped me to concentrate on my work because it was an evening reserved for writing: no calls, no visits, no distractions! Every year since 2010, I have attended a weekend workshop in a cultural education facility with a special theme each year: “Squared Writing” in 2012; and Sherri Kiesel’s “Decorative Alphabet” in 2013. These workshops are so great! Two and a half days of nothing but writing, accompanied by an inspiring and helpful teacher, good company, and good food. This event takes place in October, at the beginning of autumn and winter – my favorite seasons for writing – and it gives me enough inspiration for several months! In 2012-13 I produced a portfolio in square format with Capitalis Quadrata. A small collection of writing objects and very interesting correspondences with pen pals has strengthened my love for writing.

A piece featuring gold ink by Albrecht Clauss

Capitalis Quadrata

Question: What is your favorite style to write in, and why?

Answer: Generally speaking, my favorite style was (and would still be if my hand was still steady) the Copperplate or English Round Hand or Anglaise. But my hand is a little harder to manage than it was when I was younger, so actually I prefer a kind of “free style” inspired by Italic or Uncial or Capitalis script — which I can still create with some success.

*Sidenote from Lindsey: I love Albrecht’s “free style” Uncial/Italiac/Capitalis script because it reminds me of The Hobbit!

Anglaise style calligraphy

An uncial-inspired example to follow when creating your own lettering!

Question: About how long does it take you to write out a typical address?

Another piece featuring illustrated initials; this time they stand on their own, separate from the address.

Copyright Sabine Pfeiffer (Albrecht’s workshop teacher)

Question: What is your favorite brand and type of nib and holder?

Answer: The choice of brand and type of nib depends on use. For the Uncial script in the black envelope under the photo of the nibs (scroll down), the BRAUSE broad edge (Bandzugfeder, #1 in the photo) was not elastic enough on that rather rough black surface; fortunately I had some SPEEDBALL C-series broad edge nibs (#2) (these are made in the US; on that note, you may check out Speedball’s textbook). These nibs work very well in a normal penholder. In any case the nib should have an ink reservoir on the top (and also below). The automatic pens (U.K. production, #3) can be very useful. Learn more about those here. There is also the Leonhardt (aka Leonardt) brand. For Copperplate-style script I prefer the oblique nib, also called ‘elbow nib’ (#5). The calligraphic fountain pen (#6) is well suited for rapid, fluent writing on very smooth paper (e.g. the reverse side of art, calendar pages, etc.).

Question: I am assuming you mix water with gouache to create ink for some of your calligraphic masterpieces. What ratio of water to gouache do you use?

Answer: It depends on the consistency of the gouache and the flexibility of the tip of the nib. You must mix a gouache concoction that flows well. Start with 60% gouache and 40 % water and add, if necessary, more water drop by drop. Don’t dip the nib — instead, load it with a brush (see Lindsey’s tutorial for Watercolor Calligraphy: in it, she says, “Use your brush to transfer that paint to the back of your nib. I make sure the nib is covered with paint from the tip to the middle.”

Transferring paint to a nib using a brush

Question: In your experience, does the brand of gouache matter? Is it best to use higher-quality gouache?

“High quality gouache” used in calligraphy translates to good-flowing ink due to very small pigment particles combined with good opacity. Normal opaque white as used in standard watercolor boxes doesn’t give you those nice, opaque results (in my experience). But the most expensive is not always the best! Schmincke Calligraphy Gouache satisfies completely.

Question: Do you create calligraphy professionally; or is it just a hobby?

Answer: It’s just a hobby! {Note from Lindsey: sorry to disappoint all you brides out there who would love to hire Albrecht to add gorgeousness to your wedding!}

Answer: I create initials on stationary, postcards and sometimes posters.

Question: In your opinion, why is calligraphy relevant in today’s world, when it’s much less time-consuming to simply type things on a computer and have them printed out?

Lindsey says: I love the orientation of stamps on this envelope!

Answer: Creating calligraphy in today’s world serves as a counterbalance to pure technical processes. It means “creating” instead of “using”; it means “wasting time” in a positive sense instead of “managing time efficiently”. It’s about being motivated by emotion instead of “logical reasoning”; it means focusing on oneself, being more introverted than extroverted. I found a very interesting little text about Steve Jobs (which you can find on the Friday Forum of the Michigan Association of Calligraphers) :

Steve Jobs in 1977, Courtesy of The Chicago Tribute

“Silicon Valley’s future most famous screamer studied with a monk who spent years taking a vow of silence. ‘Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country,’ Jobs said when he gave Stanford’s 2005 graduation speech. ‘Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed … I learned about serif and sans serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture.

‘… When we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it’s likely that no personal computer would have them.’

Calligraphing like a monk gave Jobs an esthetic sense most math-nerd tech giants (like Bill Gates) lack. It wasn’t just a calligraphic skill Jobs picked up at Reed. It was a mindset.”

“If you don’t believe in the sense of handwriting the next step will eventually be not to believe in the sense of painting a picture.”

Final Question: What are your best tips for beginning calligraphers?

Answer: Take lessons (individually, with a friend or in a group)!

I would like to extend a very heartfelt “thank you” to Albrecht for satisfying my inquisitiveness; I so admire his work and talent. I am so appreciative of the photos he took to share his work, tools, and workspace with us — and the fact that he wrote in English {which I’m sure was a time-consuming task} so we can all understand! If you have questions for Albrecht, please feel free to ask in the comments below!

We’ll chat again on Saturday — until then, thank you for reading! And thank you again to Albrecht!

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YOU + A BRUSH PEN = GORGEOUS LETTERING

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There were so many examples on here that I loved I can’t single one out…no, wait…I can…the “Olga” envelope…just gorgeous! I read the Steve Jobs bio and had forgotten his calligraphy inspiration…it didn’t mean so much at the time. After seeing all of these beautiful examples and what a true art form something so simple as writing a letter can be taken to…I now understand.
Albrecht’s answer to “calligraphy relevance” was well-stated…I will remember those words when I try to set 30 minutes aside this evening to “play with letters”.
Thanks for posting this terrific interview…it’s one I will come back to many times!